October 15, 2012 at
12:05 PM

Each off-season, several Red Sox prospects compete in the Arizona Fall League as well as the Caribbean Winter Leagues. The Caribbean leagues consist of teams from the Dominican Winter League (Liga Dominicana de Béisbol Invernal), Mexican Pacific League (Liga Mexicana del Pacífico), Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League (Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico) and the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional). The teams in these leagues typically play into late December or early January, with each league sending its top team to the Caribbean Series. To follow all of the prospect action this off-season, visit our Fall-Winter League page, which is updated on a daily basis.

In addition, this is the first in our series of weekly roundups of the Fall/Winter Leagues - look for coverage to continue every Monday morning into January. This week's roundup covers the period of October 8-14.

Arizona Fall League:
Fall league play began on October 9. Seven Red Sox prospects are participating in the Arizona Fall League as members of the Surprise Saguaros. The team is off to a 2-3 start, despite some hot hitting from Bryce Brentz, who has six hits in 14 at-bats, with a triple, home run, and four RBI. Brock Huntzinger received a loss in the team's first contest on Tuesday, hurling 2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits to the Peoria Javelinas. Relievers Pete Ruiz and Chris Martin are both off to tough starts, each appearing in two contests and allowing multiple runs. Despite a high ERA, Ruiz has struck out seven, while allowing just one walk in just 2 2/3 innings pitched.Ryan Pressly, who flourished in a relief role with Portland this season, has also made two appearances, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits while punching out three in 2 innings. Michael Almanzar and Christian Vazquez are both off to slow starts in the early going. Almanzar is 2 for 11 with a pair of walks and Vazquez is 0 for 8 with a walk and run scored.

Venezuelan Winter League:With play beginning on Thursday, only Yeiper Castillo of Aguilas has made any impact, picking up the victory in Friday's contest by tossing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Castillo added an inning of flawless relief on Sunday against Lara. Heiker Meneses and Ronald Bermudez have seen limited game action.

Mexican Winter League:Play began on Saturday and Jeremy Hazelbaker had an immediate impact for Obregon in their 9-2 victory over Navojoa, going 1 for 3 with a double and two runs scored.

Dominican Winter League:Play began on Sunday as multiple Red Sox prospects saw action on day one. Josh Fields closed out Cibao for Cibaenas, tossing 1 inning, allowing a home run and a walk while striking out two. Mauro Gomez was 0 for 4 as the designated hitter for Escogido, as was Dan Butler, who started at catcher for Este.